Connector for attaching an electrical component to a flat sheet

Abstract

This invention relates to an arrangement for attaching discrete electrical components to a generally flat layer of sheet material. Both mechanical and electrical connections are provided by the attachment elements of the present invention. One form of the invention is directed to a membrane switch keyboard wherein one of the layers of the membrane switch has a tail extending therefrom. The tail has a free end which is adhesively secured to some portion of the keyboard. Conductive traces are formed on the tail and extend to the free end where they contact the leads of an electrical component. The component is held between the tail and the keyboard. In another aspect, which may be applied to the membrane switch keyboard just described, the invention includes a sheet material having two or more slits cut therein for each of the component's leads. The slits are cut in a portion of the sheet having conductive traces formed thereon. The leads of the component are then interlaced through the tabs created by the slits to both mechanically and electrically connect the component to the sheet.

I claim: 
     
       1. A connector for attaching an electrical component to a piece of sheet material including conductive traces formed on the sheet material, at least two slits in the sheet, at least one lead of the electrical component being interlaced through the slits to hold the component on the sheet material, at least one lead of the electrical component being in electrical and mechanical contact with at least one conductive trace formed on the sheet material. 
     
     
       2. A connector for attaching an electrical component to a piece of sheet material including conductive traces formed on the sheet material, at least one U-shaped slit in the sheet material, the U-shaped slit forming a finger, at least one lead of the electrical component being interlaced between the sheet and the finger to hold the component on the sheet material, at least one lead of the electrical component being in electrical and mechanical contact with a conductive trace formed on the sheet material.